Three 5 Eighty 5

First, a few basics: First Name, Last Name or the name by which your work is known, and where you’re from (represent!)

We are Georgette and Georglyn of Three 5 Eighty 5. We represent all over; Liberia, Brooklyn, Minneapolis and currently Atlanta.

What’s your story? How’d you get involved in your hustle/hobby/business? Is it your primary income? How long have you been doing what you do?

We first saw thread earrings in an ’06 issue of LUCKY Magazine and then on the streets of SoHo while on spring break in New York. We bought a two pairs from a street vendor and was attempting to buy a pair for my cousin when she said, “don’t buy it, when ya’ll start making them, send me a pair.” We were shocked, but she insisted that we had the artistic ability to create our own. On the subway ride home we studied and admired the earrings and convinced ourselves that maybe we could knock out a pair or two, or even turn it into a business! We arrived back in Atlanta with only 2 months rent payment left in our bank account and knew it was all or nothing. We said a prayer, “ Lord if its your will, let it be done”. With that said, we received $100 investment from a friend and a ride to the local craft store.

We just graduated from college, so Three 5 Eighty 5 is our main source of income. We’ve been selling jewelry for 3 years.

What are some resources you’ve found invaluable to your work?

Fashion and decor magazines and ethnic prints.

How do you get the word about about your hustle?

We advertise through word of mouth, and people are always impressed! We are shocked at how many men comment on them, young and old!

Where do you find your inspiration and/or motivation?

There is a lot of divine inspiration at play. We literally dream in color and come up with names that personify the earrings. Fashion inspires a lot of the designs and color combinations featured in our earrings. We are motivated by our customers!

What do you find difficult on your path to your dreams? How do you deal with it?

Unbeilef! So many people do not believe that we hand make our thread earrings. Many always ask, “Where is the machine?” and we simply show them our hands. We deal with this challenge by offering custom designs and being original in our designs.

What are some things you wish you had that would make your work easier?

We wish we had a physical shop so we could sell more. We used to wholesale to a very popular boutique in Atlanta and they would sell out every weekend! I’m talking like $500 in sales in 2 days. Its a challenge selling online because you have to sell your work through pictures! We are not professional photographers, but we try our best.

How has this so-called recession affected the way you conduct business?

The “recession” has definitely decreased sales, but it forces us to stay current with new designs and color combinations.

Which people or organizations do you look up to? Why?

We are inspired by our parents. They lost everything when they fled their home country of Liberia due to the civil war. Adjusting to life in America was not easy for them, but they overcame many obstacles and are successful entrepreneurs today.

What is the work you’re most proud of?

We are most proud of our business, Three 5 Eighty 5; how quickly we went international. It’s amazing to know that are earrings are in places that we may never venture!

What are you working on currently?

We are currently working on new designs for the fall season. We are hoping to launch a blog that encompasses our love for jewelry, accessories, and hair.

What is your dream project? Where do you plan on going with your business/hustle?

We are working on making our dream project a reality, hopefully to be revealed soon!

How has your dedication to your hustle/hobby/business affected your personal life (family, school, relationships, faith, etc.)

Our relationships have not been affected, our family and friends are really excited. It was a challenge to balance the busy Christmas season sales and December finals. Our thread earring business has greatly increased our faith, God blesses us with dreams of earrings and color combinations. Romance and Blue Orchid were dreamt up by Georgette and were hit sellers for about a month.

What is something you know now that you wish you’d known before?

When you are in the launch phase of your project, keep your ideas to yourself until your goal is realized.

Lots of people are trying to reach and achieve their dreams. What is something you’ve learned on your path that you would share with anyone just starting out?

I would advise that others stay on the path that will result in a dream achieved. Do not listen to the nay sayers because they only wish to see you stumble and fall. ( and number 14)

Big thanks to Georgette and Georglyn for this interview. Read the blog for a special surprise for Respect the Hustle readers!